Mahama-led NDC govt has turned Ghana's democracy into tyranny - Ahiagbah

The Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party, Richard Ahiagbah, has criticised the arrest of party activists over comments made on social media, describing the actions as oppressive and a threat to Ghana’s democracy.

Mr. Ahiagbah was reacting to the arrest of TikToker Akosua Serwah Minat, who was reportedly picked up by authorities over an alleged threat made against President John Dramani Mahama.

In a strongly worded post shared on his X page, the NPP Communications Director accused the current administration of undermining democratic freedoms and using state power unfairly against political opponents and critics.

“Mr. President, you inherited a democracy and have turned it into a tyranny, a cruel, oppressive, and unfair abuse of government power. It is shameful. Very shameful. Extremely shameful,” he wrote.

The recent arrests have sparked renewed national debate over freedom of expression, political commentary, and the limits of free speech in Ghana’s democratic environment.

Meanwhile, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emmanuel Bombande, has argued that hate speech should not be mistaken for free speech.

Speaking on The Key Points programme on TV3 on Saturday, May 23, Mr. Bombande said individuals who engage in hate speech while claiming constitutional protection are being dishonest.

“If you engage in hate speech and say that is free speech, then you are being disingenuous,” he stated.

His comments also followed the arrest and court proceedings involving Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC.

The High Court in Accra granted Abronye bail after he was earlier remanded into custody following his arraignment on charges of false publication.

His legal team, led by former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame and former Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, filed a motion for bail pending trial.

“We move in terms of the motion paper and pray that the applicant be granted bail pending trial,” counsel for the applicant submitted before the court.

The prosecution, represented by Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, indicated that the Republic did not oppose the application.

The court subsequently granted bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 with two sureties.

As part of the bail conditions, the court ordered Abronye to report to the Police CID every two weeks, surrender all travel documents, and seek permission from the Registrar before travelling outside the jurisdiction.

His earlier remand into custody triggered criticism from sections of the NPP as well as some legal commentators, who argued that the decision amounted to an infringement on his constitutional rights.

However, the presiding judge explained that the remand decision was based on concerns that the accused could potentially commit another offence if granted immediate bail.

The developments have intensified public discussions about political expression, accountability, and the balance between national security and constitutional freedoms in Ghana’s democratic system.